NEED A PADDLING BUDDY (MAR 15-23)

[jbow]

Hey y'all, I just posted this in the general discussion so I apologize if you receive duplicates.

I'm looking for a paddling buddy or group to go fire up some whitewater in March. I live in Indiana and I will be visiting my girlfriend from March 15 to March 23.

I was researching the floating options in NW AR and was surprised that you all have quite the selection when it rains. I was a raft guide in NC a couple summers ago and had the opportunity to kayak some really fun rivers in the area. I have a solid roll and hand roll in whitewater and I teach a beginner whitewater kayaking class at my school. I've spent most of my time on class III/IV+ whitewater (such as the Ocoee) and have run a couple waterfalls.

I'm really, really interested in exploring the area via kayak and getting a chance to see some of the whitewater around NW AR. I would prefer to run class III stuff, depending of course on what is running. I'm ok with going on class II or class IV as well. Anyway, reply if you're interested in paddling sometime or a couple of times during this period or know someone who is. I can give you my email address and we can exchange phone numbers, etc. Really hope to hear back as I am SUPER excited about seeing a river/creek in this part of the country new to me.

Thanks, and happy paddling!

[Twindad]

As you have surmised, all is dependent on rain. February has not been good. Mother Nature has two weeks to get her act together for you. You didn't mention where your girlfriend lives, so we can't say what's the closest run.

[Twindad]

You seem to have a few choices, river-wise. All full of water. Class III stuff for the next couple of days and Piney or Mulberry through next weekend. How'd you do that?

[jbow]

"Bring the rain" they said. When called upon, I deliver.

Headed down to Richland Creek in a couple of hours! Thank you Arkansas for listening to my rain dance!

[GN YAKN]

jbow,

You have hit the Jack Pot getting to run Richland today. Weather is supposed to be nice and the level should be PHAT!

Congrats and be sure to report back on your impressions.

Dave

[Twindad]

Trip report?

[jbow]

Hey guys, sorry for the delayed report. Ben Maguire and I went over the the Richland on Monday and ran section I. Levels were probably about 4.25 when we put on the water, dropping to about 4.1 throughout the day. First though, we decided to fire up Falling Water Falls. On the first huck I was a little right and missed my boof stroke, tipping at the bottom. First drink of the day. Hit my roll and we ran it again, better for my part. It's a fun, solid ten-footer and really nice pool at the bottom.

We put in on the Richland around noon. We were pretty excited about the levels we were seeing (me being excited because Ben kept saying how great they were). Boogied through the first stretch. I walked roadblock because mother nature decided to grace us with a log on the right chute. Hit crack in the rock, green rock, and knucklebuster without any problem. I followed Ben's line off Richland Falls and we continued downstream. On Cindy's Hole we eddied out and he explained the entry, then showed me how it's done. When I passed by that lip I was amazed at how munchy the hole looked. I barely hit my line and made it through with a little back-deck ender. Boofed upper screw up then we scouted lower screw up. I took the middle chute on lower screw up and Ben got some footage from the eddy below. The level made the drop really easy, it just pushed you through. But I didn't get right enough at the bottom of the rapid and hit the hole diagonally. Drink number two, roll number two. Found a rock while I was down there too. We rounded out with Maytag, Mini Maytag and Campground.

All in all, great run down a great creek. I'm really fortunate to have had the opportunity to fire it up. Thanks to Ben for showing me the ropes on this wonderful creek. And thanks to mother nature for giving us the rain to make it all possible. It was sunny and warmed up throughout the day, really an enjoyable run. I am glad this Hoosier was able to share some of the local flavor of creeking and hope I'll be able to come back soon. Looking forward to it, and until then, happy paddling!

[hilbili]

That's gonna be a hard act to follow. If you think you can repeat delivery in late may or early june, you could probably get a free ride to the cossatot!

[jbow]

I'll do my best, and from what I've heard of the Cossatot, I'm in! Wish y'all a nice, rainy spring!

[Benji]

A short edit of 3-17-14.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QCop0doRo08" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[jbow]

By the way, went down to the Cossatot last weekend... Loving the AR boating! Trip report to follow.